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There is no better feeling than playing a grand piano. Every pianist longs to own an acoustic grand piano. However, the luxurious pianos are very expensive to buy which makes this dream impossible for many pianists.
If anyone still wants to experience the thrill of owning a grand piano, the digital grand piano is a nice alternative. With much of the same finesse and high quality of an acoustic grand piano, a digital grand piano may offer some features that make them surpass their acoustic counterpart.
Best Digital Baby Grand Piano Reviews
The following reviews are for the best digital baby grand pianos on the market right now. If you’re in the market for purchasing one of these beautiful instruments, we suggest that you read through these reviews.
#1 – Medeli Digital Grand 1000
The Medeli Digital Grand 1000 piano comes packed with features. It has some awesome controllers. You will enjoy the assignable features too – 4 knobs, 8 pads, and 3 pedals. It also has an entire drum set.
The latest technology for generating sounds referred to as Massive Vector Advanced Realistic Synthesize or MARS. By basing an algorithm on duration and velocity, the sounds are formed. The notes have a combination of sound layers that provide a great variety of changes, details, and genuineness. With more than 670 authentic sounds, you will enjoy hearing them come through the sound system that includes six speakers.
You will find the seven inch touch screen very easy to use. Selecting and controlling the sounds you prefer is very simple.
You will feel like you have a full accompaniment section when using the included arrangement and styles. With over 240 to choose from, you are sure to find just the right one. You will enjoy modes that include: pianist, complete choir, and chords that are one touch. You will play like an accomplished pianist.
If you want to be able to listen to your performance, simply record yourself while playing. Just use the microphone connection that is built right into the piano. You have the option of including vocals or other soundtracks. Your recording can be saved on a flash drive or stored directly on your computer.
If you have an SMF MIDI file, you can show it on your LCD screen on this Medeli model. Learn some new music just by following the music on the screen. When you play in Piano mode, you can pretend you are in a recording studio, playing a set in a bar or other performance venue.
The Medeli 1000 digital baby grand piano is an awesome instrument but is expensive. Keep in mind that it is true – you get what you pay for.
#2 – Suzuki MDG-300 Micro Grand Digital Piano
The Suzuki MDG-300 micro grand digital piano is a beautiful instrument complete with the features it needs to sound and play much like its acoustic counterpart.
With a keyboard that has all weighted keys, the Suzuki MDG-300 provides realistic action on the keys. These keys are also sensitive to velocity so they can determine the force with which you play the keys and in turn create a sound with corresponding loudness and tone.
The sound sampling in 3D feature offered by Suzuki is revolutionary. This feature helps create the rich tones pianists expect. Also, this model’s polyphony includes 128 notes giving this piano an awesome, full sound and making it such a pleasure to play.
In addition, the Suzuki MDG-300 includes other outstanding features. It has eighty unique voices, may be connected via MIDI or USB, provides a jack for headphones, records and plays back with built-in equipment, and is compatible with Bluetooth. Perhaps the best extra for this electric baby grand piano is its outstanding quality and affordability!
#3 – Suzuki MDG-330 Mini Grand Digital Piano
The Suzuki MDG-330 is sometimes referred to as the brother to the 300 model. When comparing the two side by side, this one has a nicer appearance. The Suzuki MDG-330 baby grand piano has a simple, flawless appearance ranking it among the beautiful electronic instruments you will ever lay your eyes on!
With this digital piano, you will notice many that mimic the great features of the MDG-300. It has a keyboard with fully weighted keys. The keys are also sensitive to velocity. The latest technology includes sound sampling along with 128 unique voice selection, 100 beautiful styles for accompaniment, and a gorgeous lacquer finished cabinet that has been hand rubbed to ensure that your piano is the most elegant piece in your home.
Even though the Suzuki MDG-330 is a phenomenal instrument, it isn’t the only digital grand available on today’s market. Suzuki’s competitors, Yamaha and Samick, both manufacture an outstanding digital baby grand piano. These brands also feature good action from the keyboard, a lifelike sound, and a plethora of features that provide many options to the pianist. When selecting your digital baby grand piano, check out all three manufacturers – Yamaha, Samick, and Suzuki. They all produce an impressive sound.
#4 – Suzuki MDG-400 Baby Grand Digital Piano
Looking for a piano that looks just like a baby grand piano? Then this is the piano for you! The black lacquer finish on the cabinet along with the soundboard with a faux maple finish makes this piano look just like the real thing! The Suzuki MDG-400 features everything found on the 300 model. However, the size of this piano is a little bigger with a more comfortable bench. The 4.3” TrueColor LCD screen makes it easy to view music and settings. A three-track sequencer lets you store your songs on an SD card. With sampling in 3D, the instrument produces quality tones that resound throughout your home. This digital baby grand piano would be perfect for home or studio use. The very real sounds that come from this piano are awesome and allow the pianist to run the whole gamut of musical tones and sounds.
The keyboard of the Suzuki MDG-400 is sensitive to velocity. The pianist will enjoy the awesome response and even feel of the keyboard that features graded hammer action.
You will enjoy the outstanding realistic, deep sounds created by the latest technology used in this electric baby grand piano. It features a voice much like a grand piano as it is 24Mb. The 3D instrumental voices make for an immeasurable response.
The included speaker system has six speakers. These quality speakers along with the integrated cabinet create an awesome, rich sound.
The Suzuki MDG-400 is technologically advanced and features Bluetooth connectivity. This piano features wireless networking provides a way for many wireless devices to make a connection to this digital piano to expand its use and make using it more convenient.
When you make a wireless connection to an iPad, you create an instant studio where you can make recordings. Using this feature makes it a lot of fun to practice and play. This is a great way to encourage kids who may be reluctant to spend enough time practicing.
With the included USB connection, you can add on extra accessories and make your digital grand piano even more functional. With the ultra-modern plug and play feature, you can easily connect a computer. When using the MIDI port, you can send and accept data from other devices and instruments.
The included SD (Secure Digital) card contains eighty ready to use songs. You can easily make a recording of your musical performance, listen to music files that have already been recorded for your use or make a music collection of songs that you have downloaded online.
With the featured polyphone of 128 notes, you will never drop a not even if the musical piece is quite complex. By using EQ, chorus, and reverb you can mold any performance to meet your own taste. If you use other advanced features such as split and layer, you have full control as you create deep and rich musical tones. The Suzuki MDG-400 makes it easy to keep up with your progress by using the music recorder. It features multi-tracks that are useful to the most advanced pianist as well as a novice.
With a multitude of voices, styles, and recording tools, the pianist can create a large array of music. When you use the included professional music styles, you become a part of your most coveted band. Enjoy an entire, limitless musical realm with the Suzuki MDG-400 digital baby grand piano.
Buying a Digital Grand Piano: Things to Look Out
If you can’t quite afford the price tag for the acoustic grand piano, the digital one might be a fine compromise.
If you do not play your digital piano for several months, when you return to it for a practice session, the sound quality remains the same. However, an acoustic version will require turning. This alone will save the cost of maintaining the piano and its quality sound with annual maintenance. These pianos have an elegant appearance and often it is hard to tell the difference between a digital and an acoustic grand piano. The maintenance on an acoustic grand piano is high because even a small temperature variation may alter the way the piano is tuned. To keep the cost of maintenance down, you will need a special room in which to keep your piano. This room would need to have special controls for temperature as well as humidity. Unless you have this, you should definitely consider a digital piano.
A digital grand piano costs around 10% of the price of their counterpart, the acoustic version. Even at this price, the digital pianos remain costly so check out some main features before you decide which one to buy. So that you get the most bang for your buck, we offer the following guidelines for buying the best digital grand piano that will meet your needs.
Collection of Options on the Market Today
Grand pianos have been around for a while, but their digital version is a fairly new digital instrument. You will notice that the digital pianos feel and appear very similar to the acoustic one, but they do not require expensive maintenance or frequent repair. Before you replace your acoustic piano with a digital grand piano, you should check out all the options in today’s market. Some of the newer digital grand pianos lack the full rich sound you want and need. For some, they do not have enough polyphony in order to be considered an actual piano. Often, pianos are missing many of the overtones that come naturally with an acoustic piano. When these features missing, the pianist will notice that the sound is not authentic. You need to select a digital piano with sufficient polyphony to allow you to create the same sound as that produced by the acoustic version of a grand piano.
Understand that Cost May Not Equal Quality
Just because you paid a higher price for a digital grand piano does not necessarily mean that your instrument purchase is of high quality.
Just like with many other pianos on the market, some just sound and play better than similar versions that can be purchased. The best determining factor is not price.
Before making a purchase, take time to research every possibility. Go through all the review of digital grand pianos and use them as a guide in deciding on the piano you would like to purchase. Remember that the most expensive digital grand piano may not always be the best one.
Looks are Important
A grand piano is often thought of like a piece of art. They may serve as the conversation piece in a nice home or as a part of the stage arrangement at a concert. Because they play such an important role, they would look very nice. The appearance factor should be considered prior to buying.
A grand piano will always be a focal point and will never be a household item that you simply put away. No matter where you place the piano in your home, it will be noticed by your guests.
Even though a grand piano is a musical instrument that makes awesome music, they are also a part of the décor.
Since this is true, always consider how the piano looks. Your piano needs to be just as functional as it is attractive. For those who are really interested in aesthetics, take a look at the Roland brand of grand piano. They have unsurpassed quality design and construction.
Digital Grand Piano and Digital Baby Grand Piano: What are the Differences?
Size the major way in which a baby grand piano differs from a grand piano. When you look at a grand piano, you will notice that its length exceeds 5 ft. Baby grand pianos are 5 ft. and less. The reason for inventing the smaller piano was just to make it easier to put them in a living area or parlor. However, the length difference results in a sound difference. With the longer strings on the grand piano, a louder, deeper, richer tone is produced with greater resonance.
When you asses your space, if a grand piano requires too much room to be a consideration, perhaps you would want the baby grand piano version instead.
Piano companies have noticed that people need smaller pianos that are still quality instruments. To fill this niche, they designed the mini grand piano with super quality. One of the most popular pianos on the market today is the one made by Yamaha.
With some models under 3 ft. deep to other almost 6 ft. deep, the size of a digital grand piano varies greatly. Before you go to make a purchase, consider your space constraints. Determine exactly how much space you can devote to your instrument.
The amount of floor space you can devote to your piano is usually a major concern. If you have plenty of room and space is not a concern, go ahead and select a full-sized grand instrument. Even for those whose space is limited, a gorgeous piano can surely still be selected. Pianos are available in many models, brands, and sizes.
Sturdy Construction from Quality Materials
A piano may be a once in a lifetime purchase so be sure to purchase a piano made from quality materials and with construction techniques that will stand the test of time. Ideally, the piano will be made from wood or fiberglass and feature a key bed that is also high quality. When shopping for a piano, you will note that some pianos made from a plastic mix. These cheaper models may require certain parts to be replaced after use. This will create an additional cost for the piano. Before making a purchase, check to see if replacement parts are available and affordable.
Criteria for Making a Purchase
A digital baby grand piano should have some basic features while meeting some minimum standards. Some “musts” include 88 keys that are weighted, speakers that are built into the piano, an interface (MIDI), a jack for a pair of headphones, and polyphony. If you settle for less, you will not enjoy playing the instrument. The way the piano looks is also important. As much as possible, the piano should mimic the feel and appearance of an acoustic piano.
Be sure the piano you buy features weighted keys in order for the piano to feel like you are playing the acoustic piano. If you want to get the best keys around, be sure you ask for well-made weighted keys with hammer action.
Speakers that are built into the piano are a vital accessory. Otherwise, you will be spending even more money to purchase an external amplifier.
Another great feature is an intuitive MIDI interface. An easy to reach jack for headphones is also a plus. And, it goes without saying that adequate polyphone is a must.
Using and Caring for Your Digital Grand Piano
Your new digital grand piano does not need much care. Occasionally, you might just unplug it and take a damp cloth and wipe the surface. Once the keys are completely dry, you can play it. Be sure that your cloth is not soaking wet – just damp. Household cleaners may mar or ruin the piano’s surface so avoid using these for cleaning. A cover for your grand piano will prevent dust from collecting on the piano when you are away. Covers do not cost very much but are an excellent way to protect and preserve your instrument. When placing your piano in your home, select a place that does not receive direct sunlight. The sun’s rays can cause the piano’s exterior to warp. Because a high-quality digital piano has an acoustic space to project and intensify sound, warping affects this feature.
Controversial Issues
One big controversial issue with digital pianos is that some folks think they are not acceptable for public performance. The justification for this is that the digital pianos lack the overtones. Some die-hard acoustic piano fans even call the sound produced by a digital grand piano a lie. Even though a digital piano lacks the full sound range produced by an acoustic piano, most people will not notice the difference if you use a digital piano that has high sound quality. It is a fact that an acoustic piano will always have a better sound than a digital one. Yet, when the cost factor is added in, you will agree that a digital grand piano is a very attractive alternative.
Tips for Moving Your Digital Grand Piano
Moving a digital grand piano is not a simple feat. It takes effort and planning in order to relocate it. Your main concern is safety when relocating your expensive instrument. These tips will make this process easier:
- Hire a professional – don’t try to do it alone. Professionals can provide the experienced hands you need to make this move safe and easy.
- Take time to measure the piano’s new location before you start making the move. You want to be sure that the instrument will fit in its new space.
- Lay out the path you will take when moving the piano to the new location.
- Assemble all necessary supplies and tools. You may need pads to go under or around the pianos, gloves to protect your hands, plastic covers to keep dust and debris away and any other items you may want.
- When moving your digital piano, you will not have to be concerned about placing stress on the keys, strings, and hammers so that it is no longer in tune. Tuning is not required for the digital version of the grand piano so you will not risk losing tone, voice, or sound from a relocation.
- Carefully and safely relocate your digital grand piano.